Compact disc holder with magnetic means

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to provide a compact disc holder, which comprises a seat disposed in a first concealment member and including at least one projecting latch having a diameter conformed to a center hole of a compact disc such that the compact disc is adapted to securely put on the latch, a first magnetic member disposed in a center of the latch, and a second concealment member including a metal member formed of magnetic material or a second magnetic member disposed proximate a center of the latch. Thus, the first and second concealment members are capable of being lockingly engaged together to close the holder adapted to securely adhere to any flat metal piece formed of magnetic material (e.g., door of refrigerator, case of electronic device installed in office, or a board) for exhibition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compact disc holders and moreparticularly to such a compact disc holder having magnetic means withimproved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compact discs (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.) are high-capacity storagecomponents. Also, compact discs are easy to store and are not subject todamage by moisture. Recently, compact discs are widely popular amongmanufacturers of the art and consumers. Compact discs are thus used asmedia for storing image, music, and data. A standard compact disc, asthe type of being widely used, has a diameter about 12 cm, a thicknessabout 1 mm, and a storage space of about 650 MB to about 750 MB. ForDVD, it typically has a storage space of about 7 GB to about 8 GB.Conventionally, a device for holding compact disc(s) is formed of hardplastic material. The device is called compact disc holder 10 as shownin FIG. 1 in its open position. The parallelepiped compact disc holder10 comprises a cover 11 and a base 12 hingedly connected to the cover 11at one edge. A space for storing a compact disc 13 is thus defined bythe closed cover 11 and base 12. A circular latch 14 is formed on acenter of an inner surface of the base 12. A hole 131 at center of thecompact disc 13 is adapted to put on the latch 14 for anchoring thecompact disc 13 on the inner surface of the base 12. Such compact discholders 10 are the most widely used compact disc holders. It, however,may occupy a relatively large space due to its size (e.g., length about14.3 cm, width about 12.2 cm, and thickness about 1 cm). Moreover, itsmaterial is fragile. Thus, the holder tends to break or the hingebetween the cover 11 and the base 12 may break when it falls on theground or collides with a foreign object. As a result, it is no longeruseful or there is no way of closing the holder. The purpose ofprotecting the stored compact disc 13 is not achieved.

In view of the above drawback, some manufacturers of the art usecardboard having aesthetic printing as material for manufacturingcompact disc holder 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The compact disc holder 20comprises two integral rectangular members 21 and 22 formed of cardboardwherein one rectangular member 22 (i.e., base) includes a projectedrectangular seat 23 formed on its inner surface, and a circular latch 24formed on a center of the seat 23 such that a center hole of a compactdisc is adapted to put on the latch 24 for anchoring the compact disc onthe seat, and the other rectangular member 21 (i.e., cover) is sized andshaped to close onto one rectangular member 22 by flexibly bending. Itis shown that there is no hinge means provided between the rectangularmembers 21 and 22 since the cardboard for manufacturing the compact discholder 20 has desired flexibility and resilience in nature. Thus, thecompact disc holder does not tend to break at either rectangular member21 or 22 or at a joining portion between the rectangular members 21 and22 when it falls on the ground or collides with a foreign object. Hence,it still can maintain a good use condition. However, there are no matingmembers provided between the rectangular members 21 and 22. Thus, it isvery possible of dropping a compact disc placed on the seat 24 whenopening the compact disc holder 20 by opening the rectangular members 21and 22 if sufficient care is not taken. The fallen compact disc may bedamaged or even useless due to collision with the ground or scrape onthe surface of the compact disc. Hence, a separate parallelepipedenclosure 25 is produced in the process of manufacturing the compactdisc holder 20. The enclosure 25 is shaped to snugly receive the compactdisc holder 20. Thus, the chance of accidentally opening the rectangularmembers 21 and 22 is greatly reduced.

Moreover, after compact discs being commercially available, peoplegradually use compact discs (e.g., CD-WOs or CD-RWs) to record image,music, and data requiring large memory space for storage or giving therecorded compact discs to other people. Thus, people may use camcodersto record pictures and sound when a major event (e.g., weddinganniversary, birthday party, concert, alumni association meeting, newsconference, or the like) takes place. The recorded pictures and soundare then edited by adding appropriate description and music prior torecording on a compact disc by using multimedia software. People like togive the recorded compact disc(s) to friends and relatives. This iscurrently the most modern and memorial gift. Thus, it is desirable toprovide a novel compact disc holder having advantages of being small,structurally simple, easy to open or close, easy to place a picture orphotograph therein, and convenient in exhibition in order to overcomethe inadequacies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact discholder comprising a first concealment member and a second concealmentmember. A seat for storing one or more compact discs is provided on aninner surface of either concealment member (e.g., the first concealmentmember) facing that of the remaining concealment member (e.g., thesecond concealment member). The seat includes at least one projectinglatch having a diameter conformed to a center hole of a compact discsuch that the compact disc is adapted to securely put on the latch. Afirst magnetic member is disposed in a center of the latch. The secondconcealment member includes a metal member formed of magnetic materialor a second magnetic member disposed proximate a center of the latch. Ina case of the second concealment member closed onto the firstconcealment member, the first magnetic member and the correspondingmetal member (or second magnetic member are magnetically engagedtogether. Thus, the first and the second concealment members arelockingly engaged to close the holder without involving any matingmembers. Hence, structure of the compact disc holder is greatlysimplified. Magnetic force exerted by the magnetic members is adapted tosecurely adhere the compact disc holder to any flat metal piece formedof magnetic material (e.g., door of refrigerator, case of electronicdevice installed in office, or a board) for exhibition. Thus, a personmay easily access a compact disc held by the holder. Alternatively, aplurality of compact disc holders are adapted to stack on a desktop orplaced side by side by magnetically engaging together in order tofacilitate storage and maintenance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide one or morefemale locking members in each of the concealment members, and one ormore male locking members in the seat wherein the male locking membersare adapted to lockingly engage the female locking members for securingthe seat onto an inner surface of a corresponding one the concealmentmembers. Also, a photograph or picture is adapted to snugly fit in theseat placed on the second concealment member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a circularopening on either concealment member such that the compact disc holdercan serve as a magnetic frame for securely adhering to a flat magneticmetal piece after placing a photograph or picture in the seat on thesecond concealment member. Thus, a person may see the photograph orpicture through the opening.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional compact disc holder inits open position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of another conventional compactdisc holder in its open position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodimentof compact disc holder according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled compact disc holder shownin FIG. 3 where another configuration thereof is shown;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of compactdisc holder according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a third preferred embodiment of compactdisc holder according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 3, a compact disc holder 30 in accordance with a firstpreferred embodiment of the invention comprises a first rectangularmember 32 and a second rectangular member 31 both formed of cardboard.The first and the second rectangular members 32 and 31 are integral,have the same size, and are adapted to either close together or openwith respect to each other. At least one seat 33 (one is shown) isadapted to dispose in a space formed by closing the second rectangularmember 31 onto the first rectangular member 32. In the first embodiment,a compact disc holder 30 capable of storing two compact discs (notshown) is shown and described as an exemplary example. A seat 33 forholding two compact discs is provided on an inner surface of the firstrectangular member 32. The seat 33 comprises two circular projectinglatches 34 spaced along its longitudinal centerline. The latch 34 has adiameter conformed to a center hole of a compact disc such that thecompact disc is adapted to securely put on the latch 34. Also, twomagnetic members 35 in the shape of circular projection are spaced alonga longitudinal centerline of the inner surface of the first rectangularmember 32. Each magnetic member 35 is aligned with a corresponding latch34. Further, two metal members formed of magnetic material (or secondmagnetic members) 36 in the shape of disk are spaced along alongitudinal center line of an inner surface of the second rectangularmember 31. Each metal member (or second magnetic member) 36 is alignedwith corresponding latch 34 and magnetic member 35. In a case of thesecond rectangular member 31 closed onto the first rectangular member32, the magnetic members 35 and the corresponding metal members (orsecond magnetic members) 36 are magnetically engaged together. Thus, thefirst rectangular member 32 and the second rectangular member 31 arelockingly engaged to close the holder 30 without involving any matingmembers. Hence, structure of the compact disc holder 30 is greatlysimplified. Magnetic force exerted by the magnetic members 35 is adaptedto securely adhere the compact disc holder 30 to any flat metal pieceformed of magnetic material (e.g., door of refrigerator or computercase) for exhibition. Thus, a person may easily access a compact discheld by the holder. Alternatively, a plurality of compact disc holdersare adapted to stack on a desktop or placed side by side by magneticallyengaging together in order to facilitate storage and maintenance.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the first embodiment the first rectangularmember 32 and the second rectangular member 31 are integrally formed ata flexible joining edge such that the second rectangular member 31 isadapted to close onto the first rectangular member 32 for closing theholder or pivot away from the first rectangular member 32 for openingthe holder. However, the invention is not limited to such in practice.To the contrary, those skilled in the art may separately produce therectangular members 31 and 32 or divide the second rectangular member 31into two independent members (e.g., cover halves) 311 and 312 as shownin FIG. 4. Each cover half 311 or 312 is adapted to protect acorresponding compact disc stored in the holder. For complying with thecompact disc holder 30 of the invention, only requirements are that therectangular members 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to be able to closetogether for forming a space therebetween, and elements such as the seat33, the magnetic members 35, and the metal members (or second magneticmembers) 36 are provided for storing at least one compact disc.Moreover, in the first embodiment the rectangular members 31 and 32formed of cardboard are simply taken as a preferred form. However, theinvention is not limited to such in practice. To the contrary, thoseskilled in the art may use other plastic materials or foam plastics toform the rectangular members 31 and 32. For complying with the compactdisc holder 30 of the invention, only requirements are that therectangular members 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to be able to closetogether for forming a space therebetween, and elements such as the seat33, the magnetic members 35, and the metal members (or second magneticmembers) 36 are provided for storing at least one compact disc.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, the compact disc holder 30 described in thefirst embodiment further comprises a third rectangular member 37integrally formed with the first rectangular member 32. The thirdrectangular member 37 is sized and shaped to close onto the adjacentfirst rectangular member 32. Also, a plurality of sheets 38 of paper(e.g., ones printed with lyrics or a manual with description) areprovided in a space defined by the first rectangular member 32 and thethird rectangular member 37 and are fastened together along a joiningedge therebetween. Further, two metal members formed of magneticmaterial (or third magnetic members) 39 in the shape of disk are spacedalong a longitudinal center line of an outer surface of the thirdrectangular member 37. Each metal member (or third magnetic member) 39is aligned with corresponding magnetic member 35. In a case of the thirdrectangular member 37 closed onto the first rectangular member 32, themagnetic members 35 and the corresponding metal members (or secondmagnetic members) 39 are magnetically engaged together. Thus, the firstrectangular member 32 and the third rectangular member 37 are lockinglyengaged to close the holder 30. After reviewing content printed on thesheets 38 by opening the third rectangular member 37, a user may simplyclose the third rectangular member 37 onto the first rectangular member32 to sealingly close the holder without involving any mating members.Hence, the sheets 38 can be protected. Otherwise, it may be damaged orstained. Hence, structure of the compact disc holder is greatlysimplified by the invention. Also, a plurality of sheets 38 of paper(e.g., ones printed with play, lyrics, or description) are provided in aspace. Thus, the sheets 38 are protected in the space and an easy reviewof content thereof is made possible.

Referring to FIG. 5, a compact disc holder 40 in accordance with asecond preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Theparallelepiped holder 40 comprises a cover 41 and a base 42 both formedof transparent hard plastics. The cover 41 is hingedly connected to (orintegrally formed with) the base 42 at one edge such that, for example,the cover 41 is adapted to close onto the base 42 for closing the holderor pivot away from the base 42 for opening the holder. Each of the cover41 and the base 42 has an internal space. A rectangular seat 431 forstoring at least one compact disc (not shown) is adapted to dispose inthe cover 41 and a second rectangular seat 432 for storing at least onecompact disc (not shown) is adapted to dispose in the base 42respectively. A circular projecting latch 441 is formed on a center ofan inner surface of the seat 431 and a second circular projecting latch442 is formed on a center of an inner surface of the second seat 432respectively. The latch 441 or 442 has a conformed diameter forpermitting a center hole of a compact disc to securely put thereon. Amagnetic element 45 in the shape of disk is provided on a bottom centerof the latch 441 and a metal element formed of magnetic material (orsecond magnetic element) 46 in the shape of disk is provided on a bottomcenter of the second latch 442 respectively. In a case of the cover 41closed onto the base 42, the magnetic element 45 and the correspondingmetal element (or second magnetic element) 46 are magnetically engagedtogether. Thus, the cover 41 and the base 42 are lockingly engaged toclose the holder 40 without involving any mating members. Further, theclosed holder 40 is adapted to adhere to a flat metal piece formed ofmagnetic material for exhibition. Alternatively, a plurality of compactdisc holders are adapted to stack on a desktop by magnetically engagingtogether in order to facilitate storage and maintenance.

Referring to FIG. 6, a compact disc holder 50 in accordance with a thirdpreferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The circular holder 50comprises a cover 51 and a base 52 both formed of transparent hardplastics. The cover 51 is hingedly connected to (or integrally formedwith) the base 52 at a peripheral point such that, for example, thecover 51 is adapted to close onto the base 52 for closing the holder orpivot away from the base 52 for opening the holder. The base 52 has aninternal space. A circular seat 53 for storing at least one compact disc(one is shown) 60 is adapted to dispose in the base 52. A circularprojecting latch 54 is formed on a center of a top surface of the seat53. The latch 54 has a conformed diameter for permitting a center hole601 of the compact disc 60 to securely put thereon. A magnet member 55in the shape of disk is provided on a bottom center of the latch 54 anda metal element formed of magnetic material (or second magnet member) 56in the shape of disk is provided on a center of an inner surface of thecover 51. In a case of the cover 51 closed onto the base 52, the magnetmember 55 and the corresponding metal element (or second magnet member)56 are magnetically engaged together. Thus, the cover 51 and the base 52are lockingly engaged to close the holder 50 without involving anymating members. Further, the closed holder 50 is adapted to adhere to aflat metal piece formed of magnetic material for exhibition. Note thatin the third embodiment a circular opening 57 is formed on the base 52.Size of the opening 57 is less than that of the seat 53. A photograph(or picture) 58 is adapted to snugly fit in the seat 53 placed on thebase 52 such that the compact disc holder 50 can serve as a frame. Next,it is possible of adhering the holder 50 to a flat metal piece formed ofmagnetic material such that a person may see the photograph (or picture)58 through the opening 57. Moreover, a transparent sheet 59 is providedbetween the photograph (or picture) 58 and the base 52 for protectingthe photograph (or picture) 58. As such, portion of the photograph (orpicture) 58 exposed on the opening 57 is prevented from being stained ordamaged.

Note that in the above embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 female lockingmembers (e.g., holes) 411, 421, and 521 are provided in the cover 41,the base 42, and the base 52 which are adapted to receive the seats 431,432, and 53 respectively. Correspondingly, male locking members (e.g.,protrusions) 433, 434, and 531 are provided in the seats 431, 432, and53 respectively. The female locking members 411, 421, and 521 areadapted to matingly engage the male locking members 433, 434, and 531for securing the seats 431, 432, and 53 onto inner surfaces of the cover41, the base 42, and the base 52 respectively. Further, a photograph (orpicture) is adapted to place between a space between the seats 431, 432,and 53 and the corresponding cover 41, base 42, and base 52respectively. Note that locations and the number of the magneticmembers, the magnetic elements, the magnet members, and the metalmembers formed of magnetic material described in the above embodimentsmay be altered or adjusted depending on applications as long as thelatches for fastening compact discs are able to magnetically engagecorresponding members (e.g., covers, bases, and seats) by magnetic meansas contemplated by the inventor to be the scope protected by theinvention.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A holder for storing one or more compact discs comprising: a firstconcealment member; at least one seat disposed on an inner surface ofthe first concealment member, the seat including at least one projectinglatch having a diameter conformed to a center hole of the compact discsuch that the compact disc is adapted to securely put on the latch, anda first magnetic member proximate a center of the latch; and a secondconcealment member having an edge integrally formed with a correspondingedge of the first concealment member, the second concealment memberhaving size and shape conformed to that of the first concealment memberfor being adapted to close onto the first concealment member for forminga first internal space for receiving the seat, and the secondconcealment member including a first metal member formed of magneticmaterial or a second magnetic member disposed corresponding to thelatch.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first concealment memberincludes an opening having a size less than that of the seat.
 3. Theholder of claim 2, further comprising a transparent sheet disposedbetween the first concealment member and the seat.
 4. The holder ofclaim 1, further comprising a third concealment member having an edgeintegrally formed with a corresponding edge of the first concealmentmember, the third concealment member having size and shape conformed tothat of the adjacent first concealment member for being adapted to closeonto the first concealment member for forming a second internal space,and a plurality of sheets of paper adapted to dispose in the secondinternal space wherein the third concealment member includes a secondmetal member formed of magnetic material or a third magnetic memberdisposed corresponding to the latch.
 5. The holder of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more female locking members disposed in the firstconcealment member, and one or more male locking members disposed in theseat wherein the male locking members are adapted to lockingly engagethe female locking members for securing the seat onto an inner surfaceof the first concealment member.
 6. The holder of claim 4, furthercomprising one or more female locking members disposed in the firstconcealment member, and one or more male locking members disposed in theseat wherein the male locking members are adapted to lockingly engagethe female locking members for securing the seat onto an inner surfaceof the first concealment member.
 7. The holder of claim 1, wherein thesecond concealment member is divided into two independent cover halveseach for protecting a corresponding compact disc, each of the coverhalves having conformed size and shape for being adapted to close ontothe first concealment member.
 8. The holder of claim 4, wherein thesecond concealment member is divided into two independent cover halveseach for protecting a corresponding compact disc, each of the coverhalves having conformed size and shape for being adapted to close ontothe first concealment member.
 9. A holder for storing one or morecompact discs comprising: a first concealment member; at least one firstseat disposed on an inner surface of the first concealment member, thefirst seat including at least one projecting first latch having adiameter conformed to a center hole of the compact disc such that thecompact disc is adapted to securely put on the first latch, and a firstmagnetic member proximate a center of the first latch; a secondconcealment member having an edge integrally formed with a correspondingedge of the first concealment member, the second concealment memberhaving size and shape conformed to that of the first concealment memberfor being adapted to close onto the first concealment member for forminga first internal space; and at least one second seat disposed on aninner surface of the second concealment member, the second seatincluding a first metal member formed of magnetic material or a secondmagnetic member disposed corresponding to the first latch.
 10. Theholder of claim 9, wherein the second seat further includes at least oneprojecting second latch disposed corresponding to the first latch, thesecond latch having a diameter conformed to a center hole of the compactdisc such that the compact disc is adapted to securely put on the secondlatch, and a second metal member formed of magnetic material or a thirdmagnetic member disposed proximate a center of the second latch.
 11. Theholder of claim 9, further comprising a third concealment member havingan edge integrally formed with a corresponding edge of the firstconcealment member, the third concealment member having size and shapeconformed to that of the first concealment member for being adapted toclose onto the first concealment member for forming a second internalspace, and a plurality of sheets of paper adapted to dispose in thesecond internal space wherein the third concealment member includes athird metal member formed of magnetic material or a fourth magneticmember disposed corresponding to the first latch.
 12. The holder ofclaim 10, further comprising a third concealment member having an edgeintegrally formed with a corresponding edge of the first concealmentmember, the third concealment member having size and shape conformed tothat of the first concealment member for being adapted to close onto thefirst concealment member for forming a second internal space, and aplurality of sheets of paper adapted to dispose in the second internalspace wherein the third concealment member includes a third metal memberformed of magnetic material or a fourth magnetic member disposedcorresponding to the first latch.
 13. The holder of claim 9, furthercomprising one or more female locking members disposed in each of theconcealment members, and one or more male locking members disposed ineach of the seats wherein the male locking members are adapted tolockingly engage the female locking members for securing each of theseats onto an inner surface of a corresponding one the concealmentmembers.
 14. The holder of claim 10, further comprising one or morefemale locking members disposed in each of the concealment members, andone or more male locking members disposed in each of the seats whereinthe male locking members are adapted to lockingly engage the femalelocking members for securing each of the seats onto an inner surface ofa corresponding one the concealment members.